I’m the youngest out of 7 and a daughter of an immigrant. My dad’s family were very active in the live theatre for years with my grandmother being an actress who did costumes and sets while my grandfather was a playwright and director. They owned their own theatre in Prague, in what is now the Czech Republic before escaping. My grandfather published at least one book (in Czech) and when they followed my dad to the USA, they formed a touring troupe. My dad did many years of community theatre and wrote an online autobiography that I’m planning on editing and publishing as a book. My dad majored in English, his 5th language, when he came to the states. He became a teacher and principal for many years.

I learned how to read before starting school and excelled in it given my love of books. I’m still remembered as the girl in elementary school who sat writing during recess. Books, both writing and reading, are an escape as well as outlet for me. When we lost one of our sons in 2010 I began to write as if my own life depended on it. Beginning with my first NaNoWriMo challenge, I wrote the first draft of Tunuftol’s Fortress of Light in only 3 weeks. That was approximately 75K words. Continue reading →

Sixteen year old Eris Payton wants more than anything to fit in – struggling to reinvent herself – when she meets Nelson, who offers an escape from her current hell into the unknown shadows of his world, and she can’t say no before she learns just how different she really is… changing her life in a way she would never have imagined. Nelson, a lucent, needs Eris to follow him back to Downside before the epidemic gets worse, otherwise his brother will die, but he must convince her that he’s real and that her DNA holds the key in time to save his brother and his entire race. Facing truths that challenge everything she thought she knew, Eris discovers the hidden world of lucents, her own mysterious origins, and how to trust once more. She finds herself and uncovers answers to questions she never thought to ask.

Author bio:

Originally from Vermont, Ann now lives

in Virginia with her husband. Ann spent much of her childhood moving from place to place. Now settled, she enjoys exploring nature and the freedom to pursue the dreams of her imagination through writing.

Ann’s love of books from childhood continues today — always looking to stimulate the imagination. She knows the thrill of triumphing over adversities, pulling from life’s experiences, both hers and others, for inspiration… always sharing, growing, and learning.

BUY links: (new cover is not immediately available at most sites… only smashwords and createspace. The others will update soon)

To Eris- Human (Payton Chronicles Book 1)

by Ann Snizek

Published by Snow Flower Publishing

Overview:

Eris Payton has moved around every 6 months with ‘her mother’ since her father left them at the age of 8. She has never felt in place anywhere. She was never able to make any friends. But then she meets Nelson, who closely resembles the missing brother of Ashley, a girl who lives in the same apartment complex as she does.

Pros:

The story flows really well. Ann makes it hard for you to even want to put down the book. I loved how you get to feel as though you are joining Eris on her journey. Ann makes you feel as though Eris is one of her friends that she introducing you to and not just a character in the book. Nelson, the one whom Eris meets, seems to be more than what he shows but gives to Eris nothing more than who is he is while he struggles with the personal journey of looing like Ashley’s missing brother, Matt.

Cons:

Hmmm. It is hard for me to find any faults in this story. I didn’t find, like in most books, any places where the story dragged. Ann is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors and, also, a friend. I will be reviewing her other works on this website as well.

Synopsis:
Sixteen year old Eris Payton has led a difficult life and struggles to reinvent herself. When she meets Nelson, her life changes in a way she would never imagine. Nelson needs Eris to follow him back to Downside before the epidemic gets worse, otherwise his brother will die. But he must convince her that he’s real and that her DNA Continue reading →